Improvement in grain thrashers and separators



. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. F.-COCHRANE.

Grain Thrasher and Separator.

Patented Jany 14, 1862.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. F. COCHRANE.

Grain Thrasher and Separator.

Patented Jany 14, 1862.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM F. COCHRANE, OF- SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

I MPROVEMENT IN GRAIN THRASHERS AND SEPARATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,132, dated January14, 1862.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM FRAZER GocH- BANE, of Springfield, in thecounty of Clark and State'of Ohio, have in vented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machinery for Thrashing and Separating Grain, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification,and in which- Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of athrashingand separating machine embracing my improvements, as seen from one side.Fig. 2 represents a'similar view'of the other side of the same with thecap of the thrashing-cylinder removed. In both of these figures theindependent or adjustable frame which carries the thrashing andseparating mechanisms is shown as lowered upon the main frame, which isthe position most suitable for transportation. Fig. 3 represents a planor view of the bottom of the machine inverted, showing more particularlythe construction of the bottom part of the frame and the position ofthestand or frame which contains the gearing; and Fig 4 represents a.

vertical longitudinal section through the machine at the line 0 o ofFig. 3, the grain-belt and independent frame being elevated to theposit-ion most favorable to its successful operation.

In machines for thrashing and separating grain as constructed previouslyto the date of my invention the frame which sustains the separatingmechanism (including the grainbelt) projects upward and backward abovethe machine at a considerable and an unchangeable angle. frame are alsoconnected firmly to the beltframe to sustain it. This mode ofconstruction makes the machine awkward, inconvenient, and unwieldy inoperation and increases the difficulty and cost of transporting it fromplace to place. It is, moreover, at times desirable to vary the angle ofinclination of the grain-belt not only to allow the machine to work in amore confined space, but to render its operation more perfect.

It is the object of the invention claimed under this patent to producean efiective working machine which shall obviate the abovementioned andother defects incident to these The upright side timbers of the machinesas heretofore constructed, and to this end my improvements consist:

First. In arranging the thrashing and separating mechanismsin anindependent or separate frame connected with the main frame in suchmanner as to be capable of moving freely in a vertical plane and ofbeing firmly held in any desired position, the thrashing and separatingmechanisms being so arranged in said frame that their relative positionsare not disturbed by such movement. By this means I am enabled to giveany desirable angle to the grain-belt while in operation and to lowerthe mechanism within the main frame while being transported from placeto place or when not in use.

Second. In arranging the driving-gearing and thrashing-cylinder in suchrelation to each other that the distance between them may be varied atwill and while the machine is in motion without interrupting the workingof the mechanism.

Third. In arranging the drivinggearing and separating mechanism in suchmanner that their relative positions may be varied at will withoutderanging the driving-gear.

To carry out the objects of my invention, I use a frame differing inconstruction from those heretofore employed. The uprights, instead ofbeing connected to the frame of the grain-belt, terminate at the uppersill or plate of the frame. The machine may be mounted on a truck, asusual, for convenience of carriage. The gearing is contained within asolid stand or frame resting upon the sills of the frame in a centralposition near its forward end.

The thrashing and separating mechanisms are mounted in an independentframe, which moves freely up and down within the main frame, and can beheld in any desired position by means of a suitable detent. Thethrashing-cylinder may be constructed in any convenient manner. It haspulleys on each end of its shaft, by which it is driven fromcorresponding pulleys on each end of the counter-shaft; but it does notdrive any part of the separating mechanism. The beatershaft whichactuates the separating mechanism has also pulleys on each end of itsshaft, which are driven by corresponding pulleys on the countershaft.The grain-belt is driven from one end of the beater-shaft, while thefan, shoe, and conveyer may be driven from the other.

The accompanying drawings represent a convenient arrangement of partsfor carrying out the objects of my invention.

The main frame is shown as consisting of strong sills A, connected bysuitable braces and securely fastened.

The gearing has its bearings in a solid castiron stand or frame B,(which I call a combined stand,) resting in bearings on the base of themain frame. A lever C, one end of which is pivoted in one of the sills,extends across the frame under the combined stand. A lifting-screw 0passes vertically through the side timbers of the frame and through theother end of this lever, so that by turning the screw, which is providedwith a handle for this purpose, in the proper direction the combinedstand may be raised to any desired position and held there. Thedriving-gear in this instance consists of a connecting-rod D, (having auniversal joint d on its forward end to form a connection with thehorse-power or other prime mover,) turning in bearings in the combinedstand. On the rear end of this rod is a bevel-wheel d, gearing into apinion on the counter-shaft d The counter-shaft carries two sets ofpulleys, one set (1 of which drives the thrashing-cylinders and theother set d drives the beater-shaft G.

Thethrashing-cylinderandseparatingmechanism are contained within a stoutframe E, which is represented as hinged on a pivot 6 near the upperfront corner of the main frame A. This independent frame fits snuglywithin the main frame, and is capable of sliding freely up and down inthe arc of a circle of which the pivot 6 forms the center. The frame canbe adjusted at will by means of a rack 6 upon it and a pinion e on ashaft a turning in bearings on the main frame. It can be held at anydesired elevation by means of a ratchet e and detent e', as shown inFig. 1 of the drawings. Athrashing-cylinder F is supported in bearingsin this independent frame near its front end, and is driven by smallpulleys f on each end of its shaft.

A beater-shaft G is mounted in suitable journals just back of thethrashing-cylinder, and is rotated (by pulleys on each end of its shaft)from the counter-shaft. A band g from one end of the beater-shaft drivesthe shaft h of the grain-belt H, the front end of which belt runs overthe shaft e, which also forms the pivot upon which the independent frameturns.

A vibrating shoe I, provided with proper screens, &c., is also arrangedwithin the independent frame beneath the grain-belt.

When it is desired to bag the grain, I employ a creeping-cloth orendless apron J, which reaches across the frame just below the shoe toreceive the grain as it passes from the winnower and conduct it to thebagger.

A fan-shaft K is located in front of the creepingcloth. This shaft isdriven from one end of the beater-shaft and carries on one end aspur-wheel, which drives the creeping-cloth and vibrating shoe.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the machine is represented with the frame E loweredupon the main frame for convenience of transportation, while in Fig. 4it is represented as elevated to the proper angle for workingeffectively. It may, however, be worked in either position by va ryingthe length of the driving-bands, which are accordingly shown as drawntight in either position.

What I claim under this patent as my invention, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

1. Mounting the thrashing and separating mechanisms in an independentadjustable frame capable of moving freely in a vertical plane within themain frame, for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the driving-gearing andthrashing-cylinder,substantially in the manner described.

3. The combination of the driving-gearing and separating mechanism,substantially in the manner described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM F. OOCHRANE.

Witnesses:

B. H. WARDER, WM. D. BALDWIN.

